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Our Journey Online - December 25, 2012

2012Dec 25

COMMENTS

God’s Amazing Love

1But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.4Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life. —Isaiah 43:1-4

I probably don’t know your name. But as you read this, let me assure you that God does. I’m going to write to you personally. God’s going to single you out as you read today. In fact, I’m going to insert blanks here, and I want you to say your name when you get to each one. Here’s what God wants you to know.

______, do you realize how much God loves you? Just you? The Bible says, “I have engraved you upon the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16). Picture God with a tattoo of your name where He sees it all the time.Jesus said, “Eventhe hairs of _______’s head are all numbered” (Luke 12:7).The Lord lets you pray, “You . . . put my tears in your bottle” (Psalm 56:8), meaning He doesn’t miss any of them.In fact, let me include this message to you, _______, from Isaiah 43. Let God speak these words over your life: “Fear not, ______, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, ________, I will be with you . . . when you walk through the fire, ______, you shall not be burned . . . . For I am theLordyourGod . . . Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, ______.”

Do you see? That’s a message that is personally for you. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been, what you’ve done, or even what you’ve experienced. Set aside what you may have thought about yourself or other people may have said about you. This is what GOD says about you! You are honored, you are precious in His eyes, and He loves you!Isn’t that a wonderful thing? It is. Knowing that in your bones will change you!

Every person who reads this, if you have turned from your sin and embraced Christ by faith, you can claim the words above! God loves you; yes you, with an everlasting love. Becoming aware of that love is like a panoramic view to a person who is blind and a symphony to a person who has never heard. Open your soul up to the idea that God loves YOU with an everlasting love! It’s incredible. It’s the punch-line of Christmas. —James MacDonald

Journal

When I insert my name into God’s Word, does the truth of His love resonate in my heart? Do I know “in my bones” that it is true?

Does Christmas remind me of God’s amazing love or just all I want to accomplish by today?

Prayer – Father, words aren’t enough to express what knowing You actually love me means to me. Help me to remember the real reason for Christmas is the proclamation of Your love for Your creation. Thank You, Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

What if you believed—truly believed with all confidence that God is with you? How would today go for you if you knew without a doubt that God is in control? What would be different in your life if you were sure God is watching and good? What would you risk if you were certain God is victorious?

Just how would believing God’s promises change your life?

Ask the greatest Christian you’ll ever meet if they hold on to God’s promises and they’ll all say yes. Believing that God will do what He promises leads to a great life. The greatest Christian you’ll every meet knows, treasures, and is resting in the promises of God. They cling to these assurances that God gives His people so they can walk by faith while they wait for Him to work.

So what exactly does God promise? In this topical study of what will always be true, Pastor James MacDonald will explore five great and precious promises that God keeps. Enter into this study with anticipation and faith that the God who makes these promises is faithful and true... always true.